South Raleigh News

Wake County is set to host the 20th annual Keeping the Farm Workshop, an event aimed at equipping local farmers with essential tools and strategies. Organized by the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District, the workshop will be held on March 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wake County Commons Building in Raleigh.

Cheryl Stallings, a Wake County Commissioner, stated, "The 20th annual event marks a milestone in our commitment to supporting local farm landowners." She emphasized the importance of preserving farmland for sustaining local agriculture and ensuring a sustainable future for the community.

In recent years, Wake County has seen significant urban growth resulting in the loss of around 10,000 acres of farm and forest land. Despite this trend, there are still 3,140 properties actively producing on 84,588 acres within the county.

The workshop will address key topics such as property tax updates, deeds and records management, and land preservation challenges. It will also feature sessions on asset protection and forest management plans. A personal account of conserving a family farm will be shared alongside discussions on initiatives like the Wake County One Water project.

Participants can expect breakout sessions focusing on technical assistance opportunities, Farmland Preservation efforts, and farm succession planning. These sessions aim to provide valuable insights for protecting farms and planning for their future.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live on various platforms including YouTube, Facebook, X pages, and the Keeping the Farm webpage.